I heard the testimony and knew at the time that this would be used unfairly be the anti-war side. And sure enough, this morning the NPR reporter used the first quote without referencing the second quote in order to give the impression that Petraeus doesn't think the war in Iraq is making us safer. When asked if the war in Iraq made us safer, the general said "I don't know."
And NPR isn't alone, the rest of the usual suspects Dowdified General Petraeus' testimony.
You see, the initial response was based on the general's desire to stay within his lane as the theater commander and not as the overall Long War strategist.
Perhaps realizing that his technically correct answer was essentially throwing raw meat to ravenous dogs, the general took an opportunity to revise his answer:
“Well, I thank you actually, Senator, for an opportunity to address that, frankly. Candidly, I have been so focused on Iraq that drawing all the way out was something that for a moment there was a bit of a surprise.
“But I think that we have very, very clear and very serious national interests in Iraq. Trying to achieve those interests — achieving those interests has very serious implications for our safety and for our security. So I think the answer really, to come back to it is yes. But again, frankly, having focused down and down and down, that was something that really on first glance is something that I would let others - ”
While Petraeus' first response was actually the best given his position, given that he was inappropriately tasked with answering a question outside his lane, I think his revised explanation was wise and appropriate: Yes, the war in Iraq is making us safer.
Of course, it was entirely predictable that the Left would isolate the first statement and not acknowledge the later revision. It's as if they're cherry picking testimony!
Your reality-debased community in action, folks.
